How Mikel Merino brings his Spanish mastery in Arsenal’s Midfield

Aarush
By afcaarush
9 Min Read

Mikel Merino, often renowned for his old-fashioned midfield routine—partaking in all phase actions—is an experienced Spanish box-to-box midfielder who brings immense technicality and composure to the center of the pitch.

A left-footed technician who is comfortable playing as a #6/8 hybrid and uses his on-the-ball prowess and versatility to play passes from anywhere on the pitch and defensively help the team out with his calm and competent nature

Additionally, he brings a plethora of experience and versatility, playing different positions during his time spent at Osasuna, Dortmund, and Newcastle, apart from Real Sociedad. The experience and tactical understanding in such environments have gone on to mold him into an all-phase player.

Merino is a player who significantly raises the level of the players around him. Believes in interchanging and makes uncanny movements that help with intangible aspects of the game. Comfortable in pivots and also in advanced zones of the pitch as a leader. Firstly, let’s look at his player profile:

Mikel Merino Player Profile

Age: 28
Club: Real Sociedad
Position: CM/DM/AM
Foot: Left
Nationality: Spanish
Value: €52M
Height: 6’2
Avg. SofaScore rating: 7.29

Strengths: Aerial Duels, Tackling, Passing, Spatial Awareness, Passing, Versatility
Weaknesses: Discipline

Mikel-Merino-Player-Profile

Strengths:

In possession:

His prime skillset that comes in handy at La Real is his elite passing range. He has a variety of passes in his book where he can ping high-quality passes to switch play and break the lines with loads of composure and skill.

You can deploy him as an orchestrator in the build-up phase, and you’ll see him execute precise long balls on both flanks, showcasing his 360-degree vision. Progresses the ball practically by one touch from the defensive third to the final third.

Merino’s role of sustaining the ball helps in dominating proceedings and keeping possession flowing with his press-resistant characteristics. Has the ability to play long balls and overload the LHS in order to create goal-creation actions, making an impact on all phases of play.

His physical presence and height make him a real game changer in both halves of the pitch; he can stop transitions and create attacks. In comparison to other midfielders in the top 5 leagues, Merino averaged 5.94 aerial duels won per 90 last season, contesting 9.78 aerial duels per 90.

Merino’s 6’2 frame establishes his pivotal role in the team’s dynamics. An asset when it comes to set pieces, long ball situations, and also in terms of box crashing. Late runs into the box to provide additional threat through crosses that do most of the talking for his xG. 0.20 non-penalty goals per 90; top 8%.

Mikel-Merino-Arsenal

Out of Possession:

Mikel-Merino-Physicality

“When I lose a duel, I’m upset.” ~ Merino’s competent character aids him with the duels won on the pitch. He can close down gaps in opposition attacks and relentlessly press with ease. Mikel Merino was the only player in Europe’s top seven leagues to win 300+ duels during the 2023–24 season.

Merino’s positional awareness is his greatest treasure. As a box-to-box midfielder, he constantly moves around to cut slack on the danger through clever interpretations and exhibit his elite understanding of the game, always in unison, knowing when to commit himself and back down.

The subtle shades of leadership and communication come quite handy when he doesn’t have the ball, often instructing teammates for movements and putting in an extra mile of awareness to help the defense out by positioning himself and covering for the other aggressive movers in different areas.

Slowing down the buildup or transitional threat through effective pressing routines is beneficial for retaining the ball and starting counterattacks. He’s one step ahead of the opposition in terms of sensing the danger and executing his move; he’ll manage to catch the opponent lacking.

Merino’s agile hips help him make swift half turns in possession and play a plethora of passes at any given angle—no angle bias. Aware of how to keep the ball in pressurized situations where he makes his mobile upper body physically able to ride challenges.

Areas to improve on:

Something with which he struggles a bit is being consistent with his first touch; heavy touches are something that he needs refinement on. Discipline is also one aspect that needs refinement. Overcommits in terms of winning the ball back that results in fouls or opening up spaces that he can’t recover.

Legend comparison:

There are shades of Xabi Alonso in Merino. Like Merino, even Xabi has played different roles in midfield at the highest level: holding midfielder, free-moving #8, and also a nailed-on DM. Similar career routes and tactical and technical intelligence too

How can Mikel Merino fit at Arsenal?

How-can-Mikel-Merino-fit-at-Arsenal

I’d personally like to see him playing as an LCM—a left-footed player helping in the fluidity and progression as a facilitator on the LHS, making under- or over-lap runs with the LW or LB—something he’s done for Spain in the Euros. A Xhaka replacement of many sorts.

He’s comfortable playing in pivots that have a controller and receiver from the first phase up. At Arsenal under Arteta, with the way he deploys profiles, Merino could also play as a #6 sitting deep, dictate play in the buildup, and play passes forward slotting between the CBs.

While doing so, Rice or inverting FB could move further forward or vice versa, where they interchange roles in the pivot. A player that helps in ball progression and increases creativity from different phases of play and lets Ødegaard advance higher—knowing each other’s play style through their time at La Real.

As we’ve already spoken of him being a Xhaka replacement in terms of qualities, he can also cover Partey in lots of domains, most importantly fitness and track record. Merino has missed a total of 13 games in five seasons, something Arsenal wouldn’t compromise on.

The physicality, pressing energy, and duel-winning ability he has would entice Arteta to play him frequently. Will provide valuable squad depth and be utilized in different dynamics. Station him against the midblock alongside Timber-Rice, and he’ll break it casually.

Mikel Merino to Arsenal – Conclusion:

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Mikel Merino has been one of the most underrated star players that deserves more recognition for the versatile profile he has. The all-phase offensive and defensive shifts he puts in are of much-needed value to the very best managers.

Been one of the best midfielders in La Liga for a couple of years now, he might not have received his flowers because of the shifts he puts in silence, but a different trajectory in Europe could ignite more sparks in his game. A perfect age to take up a new challenge and win something big in his career

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